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Windows PCs have long been considered the most adaptable video game platforms, and PC gaming has been evolving for decades. Games are becoming more complex as new technologies are introduced, such as the relatively recent advent of Ray Tracing technology, which significantly improves aesthetics and hardware accelerated GPU scheduling.
While many gamers look forward to the aesthetics, performance and proper FPS (Frames per Second) are even more vital. Beautiful graphics bring little entertainment when games stutter, lag, or even crash. We’ve discussed the technological concerns people face with games like Outriders, Valheim, Cyberpunk 2077, and others.
Some of the issues stem from defective releases. However, every Windows PC is a complicated blend of hardware and software interactions that might result in various problems. As a result, gamers endure terrible gameplay performance even with good computer hardware.
When it comes to performance, hardware manufacturers have made several improvements. Microsoft has also introduced several features to improve gaming performance, such as the Gaming mode, which can be activated via settings. A few years ago, a new option for improving gaming performance was introduced: hardware-accelerated GPU Scheduling. We’ll go through what it is, what it does, and whether or not you should enable it.
What is the Process of GPU Hardware Scheduling?
Typically, the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) GPU scheduler manages numerous processes that provide tasks to the GPU. While the GPU is in charge of rendering, the CPU is in charge of job planning and dispatching to the GPU. The CPU will send commands in batches rather than one at a time to improve efficiency.
This is known as frame buffering, improving performance by creating a higher frame rate. This technique, however, comes at a cost because it increases input latency. As a result, pressing a button has no effect until the CPU sends the fresh batch to the GPU. The hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling capability transfers some of your CPU’s high-priority activities to a specialized GPU-based scheduling processor. This should relieve some pressure on the CPU and decrease input latency.
The Evolution of GPU Scheduling
Microsoft published the Windows Display Driver Model 1.0 more than 15 years ago. It contained a substantial shift in how GPUs handled work directed to them. Before WDDM, all tasks required by a GPU were put into the work queue and completed in the order they were provided. Nothing was prioritized or appreciated above other alternatives.
The GPU can now handle and prioritize requests thanks to WDDM. As users began to utilize numerous apps simultaneously, engineers realized that the GPU management needed to be more responsive and less suited to running single, full-screen applications. That is why GPU scheduling was developed in the first place.
For more than a decade, this form of GPU scheduling functioned well. One disadvantage was that the CPU maintained the queue, which slowed things down and caused latency. Introducing hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling allows high-frequency tasks to be managed by the GPU processor rather than the CPU processor.
Should GPU Hardware Scheduling be Enabled?
If your computer has a low or mid-tier CPU, it may be worthwhile to use the GPU hardware scheduling option. Especially if your CPU is overloaded in specific games.
If the function is unavailable, a few alternatives exist for improving computer performance without upgrading. You may, for example, deactivate frame buffering using in-game settings or the GPU driver control panel. This should allow you to continue playing high-quality graphic games on your aged PC.
Finally, the choice is yours. Don’t be shocked if you test it with many games and observe no changes. According to Microsoft, players should not notice any significant changes in-game. You may notice beneficial changes when examining your CPU’s temperature and load.
What are the Prerequisites for Enabling GPU Hardware Scheduling?
Because GPU Hardware Scheduling became available in 2020, you’ll need a recent PC. You must run Windows 10 2004 or later, and your computer must have a compatible GPU installed. Only NVidia GPUs enable hardware scheduling at the time of writing. Watch for future updates from AMD and Intel that will include support for this functionality.
Once you’ve determined that you have a suitable GPU, double-check that it is using the most recent drivers. If your machine meets all requirements, it’s time to enable Windows 10’s GPU hardware scheduling function.
How to Enable Hardware Scheduling Through Windows Settings
To enable GPU hardware scheduling, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > System after clicking Start.
- Select Display from the left-hand menu.
- Click Graphics settings just underneath Multiple Displays.
- Turn on the Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling toggle.
- Start your computer again.
How to Use the Registry Editor to Enable Hardware Scheduling
If you cannot locate the option in Settings, activate it using the Registry Editor. Here’s how you can go about it:
- Search for the registry editor in the Start menu search box and choose Run as administrator.
- HKEY LOCAL MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > GraphicsDrivers is the path to take.
- Find and launch HwSchMode.
- Check that Base is set to Hexadecimal.
- Value data should be set to 2.
- To save the changes, click OK.
- Start your computer again.
Will I Notice a Difference if I Switch to Accelerated GPU Scheduling?
You won’t notice any difference if you enable accelerated GPU scheduling, but that doesn’t imply you shouldn’t do so. Assuming your system can support the update, turning it on is usually a good decision because it can relieve some of the strain on your CPU.
When one piece of hardware becomes overburdened with work, it might prevent the other elements of your computer from functioning properly. If your CPU is overburdened, the information it provides to the GPU may be delayed, resulting in the GPU failing to perform to its full capability. You may be removing a bottleneck from your machine by enabling accelerated GPU scheduling, particularly if the CPU is frequently working at full capacity.
Are There Any Disadvantages to Using Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling?
Turning on the option caused problems for certain users when playing games or utilizing VR. They claim that graphics rip or freeze when the setting is enabled, and the problem goes away when it is off. Others noticed increased power utilization with their GPUs, which disappeared when they were disabled.
If you have problems like these, you may disable the option using the same slider you used to enable it. Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling may be seamless for certain users, but it is only for some. It merely takes a few seconds to change the slider and restart your computer.
EndNote
While the GPU hardware acceleration feature is unavailable to all Windows users, you can test it yourself. Using our guide, you can enable it using Registry Editor or turn it from Windows 10 Settings. If you’ve tried multiple ways to improve your GPU’s performance but had no success, it might be time for a replacement.
Also read: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a New High-Performance Flagship Processor
